THE proposed trip to Cuba next month by a team of Guyanese boxers received some much-needed fuel after The Guyana Police Force and Sterling Products Limited jumped on board.

Sterling Products has committed to the air fare of one boxer while the Guyana Police Force has cleared the passage of policemen Imran `Magic’ Khan and Dennis Thomas to the Spanish-speaking island.
Head of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, yesterday extended gratitude to the Commissioner of Police  (AG) Leroy Brumell and head of SPL, Ramsay Alli, for making the participation of the boxers possible, but declared that sponsorship is still needed for five other boxers.
“The GBA executive is heartened by the commitment shown by the Police and Sterling Products and we hope that others will see it fit to support this cause. Participation at these two tournaments is critical,” Ninvalle said.
Last month, GBA named the team of eight boxers and two officials to participate in the Robert Balado and the Cordova Cardin tournaments.
The boxers identified are Ron Smith, Eon Bancroft, Clairmont Gibson and Bert Braithwaite of the Guyana Defence Force, Dennis Thomas and Imran Khan of the Guyana Police Force, Steffon Gouviea of Harpy Eagles and Delon Charles of Forgotten Youth Foundation.
GBA technical director Terrence Poole is the manager/coach while Francisco Hernandez Roldan is the coach to accompany the team. While in Cuba, the pugilists, who are scheduled to depart Guyana on June 2, will compete against fighters from over 15 countries.
GBA has also planned a take-away lunch on Saturday, May 25 at the National Gymnasium in order to raise funds to send the team.
Coach Lennox Daniels and boxers Dexter Marques and Gordon Ross comprised the last team of locals to travel to Cuba. The trio completed a one-month training stint, sponsored by the Guyana Olympic Association, in 2006.